Title page for ETD etd-05192010-151418

Gubernatorial Girlfriends:
an Analysis of News Media Frames of Political Scandal

Degree

Master of Arts

Department

Political Science

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name

Title

Brians, Craig Leonard

Committee Chair

Hult, Karen M.

Committee Member

Walcott, Charles E.

Committee Member

Keywords

Political Infidelity

Media Reporting

Political Scandal

Political Sex Scandal

Date of Defense

2010-05-05

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

Since the earliest days of the American republic, political sex scandals have been a part of the political discourse. Despite the passing of several hundred years, much discussion is still given to political sex scandals by the popular media. Little attention, however, is paid to research into the relationship among political sex scandals, the media reporting of sex scandals, and the ways in which politicians are able to use the media during admissions of sex scandals. This project analyzes the most common characteristics within three major newspapers reporting on five cases of gubernatorial admissions of extramarital affairs. The multiple case studies analysis observes 89 newspaper articles to secure data from the initial speculation of a gubernatorial extramarital affair to the admission of an extramarital affair and the period of time (up to one month) following the admission of an extramarital affair.